Behind the Scenes with Executive Director, Kym Hougham

The PGA TOUR has been back in full swing for over a dozen weeks now and with spring here the excitement is already starting to build for Wells Fargo Championship week in Charlotte. We are receiving numerous inquiries about all things regarding the tournament.

With that in mind, I wanted to re-emphasize several items to make sure everyone is properly educated on this year, next year and through 2019. Just like in our everyday lives, there is a certain routine for all of us. For 12 years, the date of our tournament remained the same. There was an adjustment to our date last year, the PGA Championship is coming to Charlotte and we are going to be in Wilmington for one year. Therefore, some people are still confused on the timing of Wells Fargo Championship week.

Here is a breakdown of the calendar going forward for professional golf that involves the Wells Fargo Championship, the PGA Championship and both Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte and Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington:

May 2-8, 2016: This is the date for the 14th Wells Fargo Championship which will be played at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. This marks the return to our traditional date of the first full weekend in May and the week prior to THE PLAYERS Championship. Last year, due to a one-year date change only, the tournament was held on the third weekend of May and the week after THE PLAYERS Championship.

May 1-7, 2017: This is the date for the 15th Wells Fargo Championship which will be held in Wilmington at Eagle Point Golf Club for one year only in an effort to prepare Quail Hollow Club to host the PGA Championship in August.

August, 2017: Quail Hollow Club and Charlotte will host the PGA Championship. Exact dates have not been announced at this time. Please Note: This event is managed by the PGA of America NOT the Wells Fargo Championship staff. It is also NOT a PGA TOUR event, like the Wells Fargo Championship.

April 30-May 6, 2018: The PGA TOUR and the Wells Fargo Championship return to Charlotte and Quail Hollow Club.

April 29-May 5, 2019: The 17th Wells Fargo Championship will be played at Quail Hollow Club. This marks the final year of the current contract between Wells Fargo, the PGA TOUR, Quail Hollow Club and Champions for Education. Talks have not begun regarding extending the contract and normally do not commence until about 12 months prior to the contract’s final date.

I hope this will help as everyone plans for this year and the future. We are enthusiastic and thrilled about the next three years. It is an exciting and historic time for the game of golf in both Charlotte and Wilmington.